It was a busy week with no fewer than 11 meets taking place. As the results were coming in it was interesting to see teams trying to mix and match their lineups without overusing their best athletes. The District meets are just about a month away and with the State meet moving back nearly two weeks from last year coaches will have to adjust their training schedules compared to previous years.
The Best Thing I Saw
I did not make it out to a meet this week but there is an athlete I have been keeping close tabs on this year. Wagner's Channon Davis has been cruising through the half-mile all season long. He is currently ranked #3 in the State among all runners in the 800m and he just keeps posting consistently fast times. He ran a season best on February 28 at the Ron Faught Relays and then he clocked a 1:53.80 this week at the Candy Tanner Relays. Previously, he ran a hand-held time of 1:52.99 at the South San Invitational. Davis went to the UIL 5A State meet in cross country in 2024 but was only seventh at last year's Regional meet in the 800m. He should be the clear favorite at this year's meet with only two others in the Region breaking 1:56 thus far.
Fast Times at the Bluebonnet
The Bluebonnet Invitational hosted by Texas A&M this past weekend featured many of the top athletes in Texas. The wind and the high-tech track led to some amazing times. While the times may not hold up to what the athletes will do the rest of the season it does give us a good idea of how they compare when lined up against other top competition. The San Antonio area athletes shined brightest in the 400m. There was a total of five boys who ran faster than 48s led by Abdou Ndiaye's fifth place time of 46.89. There were another four runners who broke 49s in the event. There were not as many local girls in the 400m, but Judson's Jenesis Cordero (56.25) and Wagner's Zoe Maricle (57.73) each ran fast times.
The Class of '29 Looks Fine
Now that the season is over a month old it is time to take an account of the top freshmen in the area. Here are a few of the female athletes that have caught my eye: Sutton Amerman, Boerne (400m, 800m); Skylar Carter, Pieper (200m, triple jump); Jaliyah Holland, Steele (triple jump, 200m); Kylee Koch, Johnson (100mh, 300mh); Presley Merkens, Boerne (400m, 800m); Teegan Smolka, Floresville (shot put) and Skye Thompson, Randolph (200m, triple jump). There are always more freshmen girls among the top athletes in the area compared to the boys, but there are five boys that are showing out quite well this year: Schaeden Davis, Smithson Valley (100m, 200m); Ryder Flugence, Boerne Champion (triple jump, long jump); Silas Gonzalez, O'Connor (800m, 1600m); Michael Hightower, Holmes (200m, 400m) and Logan Valdez, Sotomayor (shot put, discus).
TMI's Top Transfers
The TMI girls team picked up a pair of impressive transfers this year in Daniela Shelfo and Jayla Flemons. Shelfo qualified for the UIL 6A State meet in the 800m last year and had a personal best of 2:11.18 while also running well in the 400m getting to the Regional meet. Flemons was one of the top freshmen in the area last year running for Clark. She narrowly missed the UIL 6A State meet when she took third in the 400m with a time of 55.36 and fourth in the 800m. This week they were both in action at the Central Catholic Invitational. Shelfo won the 400m in 58.44 and the 800m in 2:16.66 while Flemons won the 100m in 12.20 and the 200m in 24.82. Both were part of TMI's winning 4x400m relay team that ran 4:04.16.
The Rylie and Kylie Show
The Devine girls are having a strong season winning meet after meet this year and a lot of the credit goes to their superstar duo of juniors Kylie Monreal and Rylie Wells. Both girls are hurdlers and jumpers. At the Lytle Pirate Relays, Wells won the 100mh in 15.82 while Monreal was second in 15.90. In the 300mh, Monreal took the win in 48.67 while Wells was second in 50.00. Continuing on the track, Wells ran the anchor leg on the winning 4x100m relay team. Both took part in the long jump with Wells winning with a leap of 18-3.75 and Monreal taking second with a mark of 17-9. Wells capped off her day by taking gold in the triple jump (36-5). Both athletes have high jumped this year and in previous years. Monreal has had the most success and cleared 5-5 last year and has cleared 5-0 in both meets she jumped in this year.
A Wealth of Options
The Johnson boys have an outstanding 4x400m relay team this year that has their sights set on a medal stand performance at the State meet. They ran 3:13.65 two weeks ago with the potential to run even faster. They currently have five individuals who have broke 50s in the open 400m this year with a few others in the mix. Yashiyah Griffin has consistently been their top 400m runner this year posting a season best of 47.79 at the Ron Faught Relays two weeks ago, but he was beaten by Abdou Ndiaye this past weekend at the Bluebonnet Invitational when Ndiaye blazed to a 46.89 performance. Freshmen Braelyn Allen and Jayden Lea have wasted no time transitioning to the high school level. Allen ran 49.06 two weeks ago while Lea clocked a 48.10 this past weekend. Even with those four on the roster, the fastest man on the team may be Austin Anderson who is #1 in the Region in the 300mh. Anderson ran the open 400m one time this year and posted a time of 48.06. They have three others who could also be considered for the team; Chris Tijerina has a season best of 50.80 in the 400m, Briggs Bailey ran 22.05 in the 200m this weekend and has run the 4x400m and Quinten Padilla, a sophomore who has also spent time on the relay.
School Records
In this section, I want to highlight the new school records that were set during the week. I need coaches to please let me know when you have a new record set. Either email me at shanemeling@gmail.com or message at me @ShaneMeling on X (Twitter).
Tristan Childs, Clark, 200m, 21.37
Kyle Fromel, Clark, shot put, 52-2
Alamo Heights girls, 4x100m, 49.74 (Ivory Hanzel, Charlotte Tompsett, Mary Wesley Gissell, Alzara Mysliwiec)
Skylar Carter, Pieper, triple jump, 39-6.75
Noah Folks, Harlan, triple Jump, 46-11
Kaleb Ned, Stevens, discus, 166-3
Brendan Hinojosa, Pieper, discus, 156-4
Ben Aibel, Pieper, 400m, 50.33
Mason Cadenhead, Medina, 400m, 49.34
Savanah Unruh, Pieper, discus, 106-11
Around the City
Cornerstone Christian School hosted their first meet of the year on Wednesday and their boys and girls both won the meet. Joshua Hoover (Saint Mary's Hall) was a double-winner taking the 100m in 11.19 and he won the long jump (22-1.5). The 800m race had a near photo finish with Jesiah Becher (Cornerstone) nipping Aiden Stout (SA Patriots) by 0.05s to win in 2:03.21. Tyla Blackstock (Great Hearts Northern Oaks) won both girls throwing events with big marks of 35-4 in the shot put and 127-11 in the discus. Her teammate, Juliet Alcott, won the 3200m (12.10.59) and was runner-up in the 1600m to Micah Monteleone (Saint Mary's Hall). Ellie Scott (Saint Mary's Hall) won the 800m in 2:20.67.
The Reagan boys scored over 200 points at the Alamo Heights Mules Relays while Churchill and Alamo Heights each scored over 125 points. Thomas Schwennesen led the Rattlers with a season best throw in the discus of 159-7 to take the victory. Coltrane Kennan (Alamo Heights) posted a big personal best of 22-5 to win the long jump while Jack Hollimon (Alamo Heights) continued his winning ways in both the 110mh (14.93) and 300mh (39.21).
The Reagan girls matched their boys team with over 200 points while Boerne and Alamo Heights were each over 100 points. Aryiel Sherman won a pair of jumping events for Reagan taking the triple jump (36-0) and high jump (5-6). Warren's Lillian Hubbard cleared the same height but had more misses and settled for second place. Gabriella McHugh (Reagan) was second in the triple jump (35-5.5) and won the 300mh (46.80) for the first time. Boerne got big performances from Presley Merkens, Sutton Amerman and Isabella Pettet. Merkens and Amerman went 1-2 in the 400m and 800m finishing within a half second of each other in both races. Pettet was second in the 100m (12.81) running into the wind and had a huge long jump of 18-8.
The Smithson Valley boys are putting together a strong season and won the Allex Austin Invitational in San Marcos. Their 4x100m team has consistently run under 42s and they won with a time of 41.84. Noah Johnson was part of the 4x100m and he also won the 400m (48.69). Rowdy Proctor (San Marcos) took the 110mh in 16.21 and also cleared 6-4 in the high jump.
The Canyon girls won the Allex Austin Invite with 141 points. Madi Molinar was their top performer finishing second in the 3200m (11:54.96) and she was third in the 1600m (5:13.62). Smithson Valley's Lilly Koenig was both races crossing the line in 11:35.47 for the 3200m and 5:10.21 in the 1600m. Piper Moeller (Smithson Valley) had a huge personal best in the discus winning with a throw of 126-3. Nellie Mauritz-Barboza (San Marcos) won the 400m (1:00.33) and the pole vault (12-1).
Clemens won the Candy Tanner Relays varsity boys division with 193 points over Boerne Champion and Wagner. The throws were the highlight of the meet with Cyelan Whitley (Clemens) taking the discus with a throw of 167-7 while Kaleb Ned (Stevens) threw 166-3 and Blake Stehling (Boerne Champion) threw 151-0. Ned then won the shot put with a heave of 54-3. Chance Stanley led the Wagner sprint corps by winning the 200m (22.46) and the 4x200m team edged out Boerne Champion with a time of 1:28.74. Freshman Ryder Flugence (Boerne Champion) topped Isaiah Farris (Stevens) by two inches in the triple jump with a leap of 44-8.
In the girls division, Boerne Champion topped Clemens by 16.5 points to win the team title. Rebecca Bezerra (Boerne Champion) took gold medals in the 3200m (11:42.84) and the 1600m (5:21.02). Champion's 4x200m team won with a strong time of 1:44.09. Ataya Rhoden (Clemens) flashed with her winning performances in the 400m (58.59) and 200m (26.07). Imani Caesar (Judson) won the triple jump with a hop, skip and jump of 37-6.
At the Davenport Wolves Relays, the Pieper boys doubled up the next closest team with 198 points. Brendan Hinojosa led the team with a school-record throw of 156-4 to win the discus. Tivy's Jackson Kerth took the shot put title with a throw of 59-9.5 and was second in the discus. There were many small school athletes who shined at the meet. Kevin Harris (Randolph) won the 100m (11.39) and was third in the long jump (21-3.25). Marion's 4x200m relay team edged out Randolph by 1/100th of a second with their winning time of 1:29.67. This could be a potential Region final matchup. Gloria Deo Academy showcased Jackson Playford who was second in the 800m (2:03.29) and 1600m (4:30.74) while Kai Wallace took the 400m (50.33) crown in a virtual tie over Ben Aibel (Pieper).
The Canyon Lake girls took down another team title at Davenport. Eva Zabarcencu led the way in the distance events winning the 3200m (11:58.71) and 1600m (5:25.57). The Hawks dominated the hurdle events with Aubrey Avey and Kennedy Grindle. Avey ran the fastest time in the area this season in the 300mh (43.04) while Grindle was second in the 300mh (44.23) and won the 100mh (16.52). Randolph's Skye Thompson may be the next star for the school. She won the triple jump (36-5) and was second in the 200m (25.54) to her teammate, Imari Spencer. Lexi Miles of Gloria Deo Academy ran a quality 400m finishing in 1:00.85.
The Falls City Relays had some strong results, particularly in the varsity girls meet. Stockdale's Adisen Magill is a future multi-event star in college who won the 100mh (15.60) and shot put (35-5.25) while also taking third in the triple jump (35-10). Keandra Johnson (Falls City) showed off her range by winning the 400m in 1:01.60 and triple jump (36-11.5) in addition to taking second in the long jump (16-8.25). Leah Sekula (Falls City) had a big day in the throws taking the discus (119-7) and finishing second in the shot put (34-5). Bandera (1:45.23) and Falls City (1:46.10) engaged in a fast 4x200m relay. Finally, Peyton Keller (Stockdale) cleared 5-5 in the high jump. There were also two boys who stood out, Breydan Gherman (Bandera) and Braylon Johnson (Falls City). Gherman won the 100m (10.70) and 200m (23.82) while Johnson was second in the 100m (10.88) and won the 400m (52.56).
Floresville, La Vernia, Pleasanton and Wimberley all competed at the Jack Adcock Gobbler Relays in Cuero. Pierson Pilgrim (Pleasanton) cleared 15-0 for the second time this year in the pole vault to win the event. Floresville's Kaden Cypert continued his outstanding distance running winning the 3200m (9:58.76) and the 1600m (4:26.05). Carson Sandoval of La Vernia had a solid meet with a second place finish in the 400m (51.12) and a time of 22.93 in the 200m.
The Wimberley girls really showed out over the weekend. Ella Patek crushed the long jump (18-1) and triple jump (36-1.5) while Trinity Laney went 17-7.5 in the long jump and 36-0.25 in the triple jump. Ellen Watson gave them a third excellent jumper as she cleared 5-6 to win the high jump. Corina Joyce held it down in the distance events winning the 3200m (11:40.43) and 1600m (5:15.55). La Vernia's Isabella Davis added to the amazing long jump event by jumping 17-10. Wimberley won the meet overall.
The Johnson boys won the East Central Invite II with a split squad scoring 150 points while Harlan had 147.5 and East Central 124. Justus Jeffrey won the 100m (11.22) for the Jaguars while Briggs Bailey and Chris Tijerina took the top two spots in the 200m. Noah Folks led Harlan with a school-record performance to win the triple jump with a leap of 46-11. Ryan Clemons (East Clemens) had a great result en route to winning the shot put (52-4).
Johnson's girls team also won the meet. They edged out Medina Valley by one point, 154-153. Ava Madere led the Jaguars by winning the 300mh (46.70) and silver medal in the 100mh (16.75). Trinity Pinto was amazing for Medina Valley winning the 400m (57.00) and finishing second in the 100m (12.79) and 200m (25.40). Jade Espitia (East Central) was runner-up to Pinto in the 400m and won the 800m (2:23.28). Madison's Cyani Ingram continues to make her case as the top overall thrower in the area after winning the shot put (43-1) and discus (129-11). YWLA's Deasia Conaway had a solid mark with her throw of 36-2 in the shot put.
The Seguin boys won the Central Catholic Invitational with 146 points while Clark had 129 and MacArthur had 115. Elliot Weaver and Daniel Pinon led Seguin with event wins in the 100m and 400m, respectively. Tristan Childs won the 200m in 21.37 and Kyle Fromel took the shot put with a toss of 52-2 to give Clark a pair of event wins. Avin Houston (Central Catholic) took gold in the 110mh (15.42) while Alvaro Zuniga (Lee) was second in the 1600m (4:24.99) behind TMI's Ethan Garza (4:22.59).
Clark's girls team won a tightly contested meet over TMI and MacArthur at Central Catholic. Caroline Lemaistre won the triple jump with a leap of 36-0 for Clark. Chloe Nellis (Incarnate Word) was outstanding in winning the 100mh (15.36) and 300mh (45.69). Maria Munoz (Edison) won the discus (113-9) title and was second in the shot put (33-10).
Devine swept both team titles at the Lytle Pirate Relays. Rowdy Esparza (Devine) won three individual titles in the 400m (49.31), long jump (21-9.25) and triple jump (42-5). His teammate, Tanner Davis, won both the pole vault (13-6) and high jump (6-6). Caden Kitson led Cole by winning the 800m in 1:56.96 and the 1600m in 4:41.23.
The last meet of the week was the Texas A&M Bluebonnet Invitational. Nearly all the local athletes who went posted season or even career best times and marks.
Senior Signings
I would like to keep a running tally of all the track and field and cross country signings so please contact me if you notice someone is missing.
Kendall Fallon, Davenport, Tulsa
Tate Taylor, Harlan, Texas Tech
Mia Villanueva, Canyon, Texas Lutheran
Lauren Pardo, Canyon, Henderson State
Aryiel Sherman, Reagan, Biola
Sadie Larson, Pieper, Tarleton State
Frances Scotello, Lytle, UNLV
Lilly Koenig, Smithson Valley, Texas Tech
Jaelyn Moore, Cornerstone, Dallas Baptist
Juliet Osuna, Cornerstone, Carson-Newman
Elizabeth Leachman, Boerne Champion, Stanford
Maverick James, Steele, UIW
Aaron Garcia, Boerne, Lamar
Sadrac Castillo, Jefferson, Our Lady of the Lake
Klayre Cook, Lytle, Texas Lutheran
Next Week
There are only a few local meets this week with most schools on Spring Break. Tivy has the Charlie Dobbs - Antler Relays and the Cole Cougar Relays are on Thursday. Wimberley's Raider Nation Relays will take place on Friday.It was a busy week with no fewer than 11 meets taking place. As the results were coming in it was interesting to see teams trying to mix and match their lineups without overusing their best athletes. The District meets are just about a month away and with the State meet moving back nearly two weeks from last year coaches will have to adjust their training schedules compared to previous years.
The Best Thing I Saw
I did not make it out to a meet this week but there is an athlete I have been keeping close tabs on this year. Wagner's Channon Davis has been cruising through the half-mile all season long. He is currently ranked #3 in the State among all runners in the 800m and he just keeps posting consistently fast times. He ran a season best on February 28 at the Ron Faught Relays and then he clocked a 1:53.80 this week at the Candy Tanner Relays. Previously, he ran a hand-held time of 1:52.99 at the South San Invitational. Davis went to the UIL 5A State meet in cross country in 2024 but was only seventh at last year's Regional meet in the 800m. He should be the clear favorite at this year's meet with only two others in the Region breaking 1:56 thus far.